UNIZIK Debate Club Triumphs at National Championship, Pays Courtesy Visit to Vice-Chancellor

The Debate Club of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) has returned from the Nigerian Youth Debate Championship (ANYDC) with multiple honours and has formally presented its achievements to the university management during a courtesy visit on Wednesday, May 20, 2026.

The visit followed the club’s strong performance at the championship held at Godfrey Okoye University, Enugu, where it secured several awards across individual and institutional categories, further reinforcing its reputation as one of the country’s leading university debate teams.

Speaking on behalf of the delegation, the Director of International Collaboration and Linkages, Prof. Charles Nwadigwe, expressed appreciation to the Vice-Chancellor for the institutional support provided ahead of the competition. He noted that the confidence placed in the team by the university was justified by their performance, which included multiple speaker recognitions, judging awards, and the prestigious Debate Union of the Year 2025 title.

He added that the results reflect the team’s sustained commitment to excellence and their growing influence in national debate circuits, while also seeking continued institutional backing for upcoming engagements.

The President of the Debate Club, Chukwuemeka Chiezie of the Department of History and International Studies, highlighted additional achievements recorded during the competition, including recognition at the Nigerian Débatteur D’or Awards. He disclosed that members of the club won three major awards: Deputy Leader of Opposition of the Year 2025, awarded to Chinaka Chigozie; Government Whip of the Year 2025, awarded to Ebube Anene; and Debate Union of the Year 2025, awarded to the UNIZIK Debate Club.

He also outlined the club’s forthcoming participation in major competitions, including the All Nigerian Universities Debate Championship scheduled for September 6–13, 2026, at Rivers State University, and the Pan-African Universities Debate Championship slated for December 10, 2026, at Veritas University.

In his response, the Vice-Chancellor commended the students for bringing distinction to the institution, describing debating as a critical platform for developing leadership capacity, analytical reasoning, confidence, and communication skills.

He reaffirmed the university’s commitment to supporting students who excel in both academic and extracurricular engagements, noting that the achievements of the debate club reflect UNIZIK’s broader culture of academic excellence and intellectual competitiveness.

The Vice-Chancellor encouraged the team to remain disciplined, consistent, and collaborative, stressing that sustained success in competitive academic environments requires focus and teamwork. He further assured them of continued institutional support as they prepare for future tournaments.